The Yankees have been scouting Robin Ventura, but mainly as a fact-finding mission to fill third base in 2002.

Gene Michael, the most trusted pair of scouting eyes in the Yankee organization, was in San Diego watching the Mets-Padres series. However, he was there as much to watch Phil Nevin and possibly even Todd Zeile as to watch Ventura.

The Yankees’ reports on Ventura are poor. With Michael in attendance the first two games in San Diego, Ventura produced seven weak outs in seven at-bats.

Ventura, who didn’t start yesterday due to a bruised right hip, is hitting .186 (36-for-198) since June 1. He has just 10 homers and 21 RBIs in that time. He has begun August with three singles in 36 at-bats. Ventura drew a walk in front of Michael as a pinch hitter last night.

“I’m here until they don’t want me to play here,” Ventura said. “If it happens, it happens.”

The 34-year-old Ventura can veto deals to 10 teams, but the Yankees aren’t one of them.

The Yankees think Ventura’s hand injury may be more serious than the Mets are saying, on top of a shoulder and now a hip ailment.

What is undeniable is the ownership factor, which results in both sides being very hesitant to make a deal with each other. The last trade between the two teams was Sept. 17, 1993, when Frank Tanana went to the Yankees for minor leaguer Kenny Greer.

While the clubs have talked, no offer has been made. And the Yankees want at least half of Ventura’s $8.25 million for next year to be paid by the Mets, something the Yankees expect the Mets to balk at.

On Sept. 1, the Yankees unleash all their scouts on potential post-season rivals, a thorough system that has really helped with information in recent years. But that procedure means all scouting as they look toward building their 2002 team must be completed by Aug. 31.